[Three Hundred Animals Contents]
DESERVES the closest observation of the philosopher, and his acknowledgment for the variety of means which nature employs to preserve the propagating species. The young of the Opossum are brought forth, as it should seem, before their time, and the finishing of their formation is performed in a bag, which the mother has under her belly, in which the brood finds a place of security, and where the young ones retire at the approach of danger. This animal is about the size of a badger, with a long tail, and sits up easily on his hinder legs. He is an inhabitant of Virginia, and feeds upon fish.